Wow! Andre Ward retires!

[mikeeod]

I'm wondering how long the retirement will last, to be honest. I just get the feeling that either Ward was frustrated with a lack of big names to fight, or he wants out of his current contract. If his body really is letting him down, then I'm glad he made the decision. That being said, I don't see putting on a great performance vs Kov, calling out Joshua, and then retiring out of the blue. One more point: regardless of who you THINK beats Ward, there is no denying that the guy should be ranked as the top 168 pounder ever.

[Master]

I'm wondering how long the retirement will last, to be honest. I just get the feeling that either Ward was frustrated with a lack of big names to fight, or he wants out of his current contract. If his body really is letting him down, then I'm glad he made the decision. That being said, I don't see putting on a great performance vs Kov, calling out Joshua, and then retiring out of the blue. One more point: regardless of who you THINK beats Ward, there is no denying that the guy should be ranked as the top 168 pounder ever.

He is up there with Joe Calzaghe.

[Primo Carnera]

I'm wondering how long the retirement will last, to be honest. I just get the feeling that either Ward was frustrated with a lack of big names to fight, or he wants out of his current contract. If his body really is letting him down, then I'm glad he made the decision. That being said, I don't see putting on a great performance vs Kov, calling out Joshua, and then retiring out of the blue. One more point: regardless of who you THINK beats Ward, there is no denying that the guy should be ranked as the top 168 pounder ever.

He is up there with Joe Calzaghe.

Probably had a thread to itself in the past, but as much as I like and rate Calzaghe, Ward beats him prime for prime.

[Gandalf]

Nah, Calzaghe beats him 8-4 in a dull, dull, dull, dull fight full of low blows and cuts. You cannot outwork Calzaghe or neutralise him over 12. The only thing stopping Calzaghe is his hands. Calzaghe would have boxed Kovalev's ears off too as it seems he is a 4 round fighter a bit like Pascal. You cannot have gas tank issues against Calzaghe and you can't put him away with limited output like that. Same with Ward, he just wouldn't beat Calzaghe with 30 punches a round. Impossible.

[GaMo]

Calzaghe ducked Ottke, Froch, Pavlik and Taylor. He also scrapped by an old Hopkins so there’s no way he beats a prime Ward. Calzaghe struggled with Bika and Kessler while Ward made both those fights look easy. Ward would UD Calzaghe without much trouble. Kovalev would knock Calzaghe out early and easily.

[Master]

Calzaghe ducked Ottke, Froch, Pavlik and Taylor. He also scrapped by an old Hopkins so there’s no way he beats a prime Ward. Calzaghe struggled with Bika and Kessler while Ward made both those fights look easy. Ward would UD Calzaghe without much trouble. Kovalev would knock Calzaghe out early and easily.

Joe did not duck those fighters he had better offers and he did not struggle he beat them convincingly.

At light heavyweight he was past his prime.

[GaMo]

Calzaghe ducked Ottke, Froch, Pavlik and Taylor. He also scrapped by an old Hopkins so there’s no way he beats a prime Ward. Calzaghe struggled with Bika and Kessler while Ward made both those fights look easy. Ward would UD Calzaghe without much trouble. Kovalev would knock Calzaghe out early and easily.

Joe did not duck those fighters he had better offers and he did not struggle he beat them convincingly.

At light heavyweight he was past his prime.

Pavlik was unbeaten at the time and was willing to move up to fight Calzaghe but Joe decided to fight an old Hopkins instead. Ottke was the champion for years at 168 and Calzaghe was never willing to go over and challenge for the titles (instead he defended the shitty WBO belt at home) He obviously avoided Froch.

[Gandalf]

Calzaghe ducked Ottke, Froch, Pavlik and Taylor. He also scrapped by an old Hopkins so there’s no way he beats a prime Ward. Calzaghe struggled with Bika and Kessler while Ward made both those fights look easy. Ward would UD Calzaghe without much trouble. Kovalev would knock Calzaghe out early and easily.

You are silly. Calzaghe was the best fighter to have ever fought at 168 and beats everyone including Jones Jr and Toney. If you cannot stop him, then he beats you and nobody could stop him. There is no evidence to suggest Kovalev who hasn't been stopping anyone for a few years now would stop Calzaghe. Fighters have put him down, but he outhearts Kovalev and exhausts him. Don't forget how quick Calzaghe was, you cannot prepare for a style like that. Kovalev would have a hard time and would get slapped about. There is nothing to suggest Ward would be a problem for Calzaghe. He can make it as dirty as he likes, but he doesn't have power and cannot outland Calzaghe. Ward would be an easier fight than Kovalev IMO. Kovalev would be tricky early on with a good jab, but once he is worn down, Calzaghe takes over and frustrates him.

The main flaw of Kov and Ward is that they are low output fighters. It makes it even when they fight, but put a Calzaghe in and it's a different level of fighter.

[GaMo]

Calzaghe was the best fighter to have ever fought at 168 and beats everyone including Jones Jr .

[sanatogen]

I'm wondering how long the retirement will last, to be honest. I just get the feeling that either Ward was frustrated with a lack of big names to fight, or he wants out of his current contract. If his body really is letting him down, then I'm glad he made the decision. That being said, I don't see putting on a great performance vs Kov, calling out Joshua, and then retiring out of the blue. One more point: regardless of who you THINK beats Ward, there is no denying that the guy should be ranked as the top 168 pounder ever.

He is up there with Joe Calzaghe.

Probably had a thread to itself in the past, but as much as I like and rate Calzaghe, Ward beats him prime for prime.

I disagree with this one. Calzaghe was in some way a mirror image of Ward.

Fight 3mins each round of the entire fight (unlike Kovalev)
Fast Hands
Granite Chin
Adjust style mid fight (as shown versus undefeated Kessler)
Dig deep to win (versus eubank)
Cold hearted bastard who hated to lose